IS OUR WORLD SUSTAINABLE?

Will the 17 SDGs be achieved by the year 2030?

Introduction

            The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprints to achieve better and more sustainable future for all. To achieve this, 17 targets and indicators were developed through global negotiations at a UN conference held in Brazil in 2012. Unlike the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which preceded the SDGs and focused on only low and middle income countries, the SDGs are universal and apply to all countries.

The background to your MOOC selection

            I selected this course because, sustainability and development pose unprecedented challenges as human societies grow and seek to ensure future wellbeing and prosperity. This course will allow me appreciate the twin challenges of sustainability and development with actionable knowledge for innovating solutions to the world’s most pressing problems like climate change, poverty and inequality,  biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. Again, I will be introduced to current theories of Sustainability and Development, and garner an in-depth understanding of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as they relates the sustainability and development.

Major learning outcomes

Ø  Understand and explain the world’s most pressing problems with a specific focus on poverty & inequality, ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, and climate change.

Ø  Critically analyze the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relationship to the world’s most pressing problems.

Ø   Use frameworks and evidence necessary to develop solutions.

Ø  Assess relevant solutions that would help realize the SDGs and at the same time solve the pressing problems.

Ø   Apply skills learned to implement solutions.

The learning materials used

Videos and readings

The specific assignments, quizzes and projects you participated in

There were five quizzes in all. However, I was able to try my hands on three. Quiz one, three and four. There were no assignments and projects

How the specific assignments, quizzes, and projects were assessed by your instructor(s)

The quizzes being 10 multiple choice questions for all were assessed by the instructors at a pass rate of 80% or higher.

The work you reviewed for your peers

Forum discussions were put across where participants were asked to do peer review. In line with this, I postulated on one comment that, the issue of the SDGs and the practicality of the achievement of same is challenged especially when member countries are not bind legally to follow the laid down procedures and report same.

Your own works that were reviewed by your peers

Others equally commented on my review where key among was on the fact that, although the UN member countries are not directly legally obliged, following and abiding by the 17SDGs are used to rate the countries, hence each nation is encouraged to abide by the terms

Reflections on the Iron Triangle (Cost, Access, and Quality) in the context of the MOOCs experience

            The massive open online course is an eye opener. However, the cost component attached to most of the courses which in some instances prevent potential learners from accessing the cost is one set back. Access in general however is good. MOOCs are easy to access with a click of the button. There are numerous and varying courses in almost every field of interest and study.

The fact that most of the courses are enrolled by existing universities which makes it for their faculties with rich industry and research experience to facilitate the courses adds to the quality.

Reflections on whether or not the learning outcomes were achieved

            There were five major learning outcomes for the course I selected (Beyond the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Addressing Sustainability and Development). Three out of the five were achieved. I have been exposed to the SDGs and I can critically analyze the goals and their relationship to the world’s most pressing problems. I am also able to assess relevant solutions that would help realize the SDGs and finally, through this course, I understand and can explain the world’s most pressing problems with a specific focus on poverty & inequality, ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, and climate change.

Lessons learned from participating in a MOOC, challenges, and strategies you adopted in overcoming the challenges.

It is obvious that there is more knowledge out there that I still haven’t come in contact with. Participating in a MOOC has given me a hint of the opportunities that exist that I can take advantage of. One of the challenges I faced is where in some instances you’re required to pay for your quiz to be assessed. This did not allow me to explore to the full length as I would have love to do. More so, doing this alongside other courses and the demand for time was a bit hectic.  I however managed to schedule my time and was able to spend significant time on the course.

Conclusion

            As coherent and smart as the SDGs are, not all the SDGs are on track. Some of the reasons are that, there is still lack of funding to push for and implement activities that will aid the achievement of the goals. Again, the goals are not mandatory for member countries, implying that no country will be held responsible for not abiding by the goals, there is also the issue of missing data which makes it difficult to track the gains in order to account for them.

 

 

 

                                                                     Christian Evadzi